What Might Brad Pitt Wear to Sunday's Oscars?

Because this Sunday's 2012 Academy Awards are but the last in a long series of red carpets, all week we'll be taking a look back at the men nominated in the Leading Actor category (well, thanks to Presidents' Day, the four of them that are tuxedo veterans) to see what they've been wearing all year (with visual evidence) and what it suggests about the look they might choose for the Oscars.

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First up is Brad Pitt, who has had somewhat of a sartorial comeback this season due to a) the fact that Angelina Jolie is doing lots of press for her directorial debut and b) the new-old Interview with a Vampire hairstyle that Pitt's been wearing since Award Season began. The longer hair and perennial scruff adds a rakish vibe to his otherwise conservative look; it's nearly impossible to find this man not wearing a black peak or shawl-collar tuxedo, with grosgrain lapels and shined black shoes. No patent for this man, and no shenanigans for awards shows hosted by VH1, Nickelodeon, or less sober entities that may label themselves as "People's Choice." Even at the Golden Globes, bottom-right corner above, he held it together in a three-piece look that was so strong we barely remembered he was carrying a cane.

He's off the walking stick, now, so the only debate here is whether the star will go with a black straight necktie or the askew bow he's been wearing so successfully for the most recent ceremonies. The white tie he wore for the Critics' Choice Awards is nice, but definitely a one-off thing. Meanwhile, his look at the Oscars lunch (sans tie, collar open) provides no evidence of which way he might be leaning. Our money is on the bow tie, if only because it looks so darn smart with his shoulder-length hairdo.